P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It was a day to forget for McLaren, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It now faces a “tough” fight for pole, according to team boss Andrea Stella.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella reflected on a tough day of practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri facing challenges heading into qualifying. Despite a near-exemplary season, McLaren encountered issues on Friday at the Baku Street Circuit, including a PU problem for Piastri and Norris damaging his car. The team finished 12th and 10th in practice, marking the first time this season McLaren didn’t have a driver in the top three after Friday’s sessions. Stella described the day as “disruptive” due to multiple interruptions, but the team still gathered important data. Looking ahead to qualifying, Stella acknowledged the competitive challenge they face and plans to refine their approach for a better performance.
